5 Reasons To Love Writing

I was sitting back relaxing, leaving myself open to inspiration. Sitting on my deck, enjoying the sun on my face, with the RHCP Pandora station pumping at the ideal comfortable volume.

In this moment I was intentionally thinking about my experiences with no particular goal in mind.

This is part of my process. I don’t go out of my way to come up with ideas for writing, I simply allow myself to be open to anything then I capture anything with potential potential (not a typo) via Evernote on my phone.

When I sit down to write, assuming I’m not coincidently inspired (because my schedule and creativity don’t always work hand in hand) I have a database of ideas to choose from.

On this particular day I felt an abundance of ideas. Idea after idea to the point where I couldn’t keep up.

When I had exhausted this surge of inspiration I felt good.

Nay, I felt great.

I was excited to write.

I couldn’t help but think about why I love writing.

Now I know that there are a ridiculous amount of reasons why writing is painful and horrible which actually is a reason to love it (see the second reason below).

Many of those reasons serve as topics for this blog because I attempt to find solutions or at least strategies to combat these pain points.

Then I write about them.

This time around lets discuss why writing is awesome.

Prompts reflection. As a person who writes consistently I often find myself needing to delve deeper into a topic. If I didn’t, I’d be out of ideas in a week. This puts me in a position where I have to answer questions such as:

“Why is this important?”

“How can I solve this problem?”

“How can I teach somebody to solve this problem?”

“Am I being effective? How do I know?”

Asking yourself these questions or questions similar to these prompts a genuine level of reflection. Moreover, consistent writing requires consistent and honest responses to such questions.

Writers live and die by their grit and persistence. Writing is without a doubt an art form. I need to make that clear before I explain this reason further because it may sound as though I’m ignoring the creativity and skills needed to be a great writer.

Alternatively, one factor that should be appreciated (but is most often hated) is the grit required to complete a manuscript or to regularly update your blog. The reason this needs to be appreciated is because it levels the playing field.

In other words, I believe there are tons of potential Hemingway authors out there, but what separated him from all the aspiring authors who didn’t make it happen was the fact that in addition to his genius he forced himself to write.

He used practical strategies to maintain his writing momentum. He found his strategy that enabled him to write consistently.

I appreciate this because unlike Hemingway I’m not a genius. I’m very average writer, however, I’m successful because I write consistently. I write on the days that I want to write but I also write on the days that I don’t feel like writing.

Are there better writers than me? Yes, but there could be way more if following through with a book idea wasn’t a challenge.

I’m grateful for this advantage.

Creates opportunities to meet other writers within a wide range of topics. When I first began writing it was just me in front of computer day in day out. It was lonely. Once my work started reaching readers (and believe me my audience still has plenty of growth needed) people started reaching out to me.

The reality is if you write on a regular basis you put yourself in an exclusive group because so many people don’t. Combine this with the magic of social media and you’re connecting with others all the time.

Requires very little tools. As stated above when I first began writing it was just me in front of a computer. This is still the case. All I need to write is a computer. If I didn’t have one I could supplement with a pen and paper. I don’t need a ton of money. I don’t need a fancy suit. I just need my computer.

Add an Internet connection and I can share it with the world.

Think about how amazing that is. A writer can create something with one device that has the potential to change the world. Think about your favorite book. I’m referring to one of those books that had the power to change your perspective forever.

Some person did that using only his or her words.

Amazing.

Freaking amazing.

There is a rush when you see the impact it can have (big or small). I get emails and I get reviews. Not a ton but some. When one of my books gets a new review I can’t help but smile even if it is a negative review.

That is right, I now smile at negative reviews.

Why?

Because somebody was moved enough by my words to put pen to paper. Somebody cared enough to comment about my book.

When it is a positive review I literally feel a wave of emotion pass through my body (no tears though because I’m tough). The fact that somebody enjoyed my words so much to the point where they want to share what they liked and why they liked it consistently bewilders me.

When a person emails me asking me for help. I’m immediately complemented and proud of the thought that somebody read my words and thought, this person can help me.

There are better feelings, but not many.

So the next time you find yourself drowning in the abyss of the lonely writer’s lifestyle. Just remember, writing is powerful for the readers and the writers.